Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I gather the Taoiseach is in Los Angeles today. I hope he takes time to note that rents in Los Angeles are cheaper on average than rents in Dublin. Average rents in Dublin today are €1,713 a month, which is an increase on this time last year. The ESRI stated this morning it has reduced its projected figures for the number of house completions this year. The notion that the Government is catching up with supply is once again being proven to be wrong. The ESRI is particularly asking for a much more aggressive approach to taxing and following up on vacant sites. Does the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government agree with the ESRI assessment this morning? Is the Minister hanging his head in shame at the growing level of rents in this city and his inaction on it? In particular, has the Minister any plans to tackle vacant sites?

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